Quagga and zebra mussels are native to Eastern Europe and are believed to have spread to North America on the hull of ships and boats. The tiny critters are extremely aggressive, clogging pipes, starving indigenous species and producing toxins that are harmful to native fish and mollusk populations. The invaders create millions of larvae eggs that continue to grow and multiply. Officials have no surefire way of getting rid of them.  Many of the waterways throughout Northern California are connected and water officials are considering further bans.

According to East Bay District General Manager Dennis Diemer, the success of the District’s preventative efforts depends on the support and cooperation of the boating public and the cooperation of all recreational areas.  The East Bay Municipal Utility District asks boaters to avoid all lakes outside of California and most waterways in Santa ClaraSan Benito counties and the Tehachapi Mountains. To prevent quagga or zebra mussel infestation, boaters should inspect all exposed surfaces on boats, trailers and their vehicles, wash the hull thoroughly after each use, remove plant and animal material and thoroughly drain and dry live-wells and the outboard unit, dispose of all bait, and wait five days between launches into different freshwater bodies of water. Anyone who spots the mussels is asked to call the Department of Fish and Game at (866) 440-9530. For more information, go to the agency's Web site at address on your screen. and